Dr. Seuss Classroom x3

It's been a while, I know.  Well if you've perused my most recent (not-so-recent) posts at all you'll know that I've been busy with mommy things.  And SURPRISE! My little girl is not even a year old yet, but we are adding one more to the team.

Can't. Believe. It.
I'm 21 weeks pregnant and have been sick, sick, sick for, oh, the  last 4-5 months.  Ug. But I would rather not dwell on that, so let's get on to the real reason I came to the couch: I'm starting a preschool! (Big cheesy, plastered on grin with deer-in-the-headlight eyes). Am I insane? Yes. Yes I am.  But it makes me happy! So that's what I do. I do crazy and I like to think I do it pretty well.  I'm starting a preschool and mid-school-year I will be the momma to not one, but two babies under the sweet age of 15 months.  Heaven help me.

To the credit of my questionable sanity, I should add that I decided to quit teaching elementary to teach preschool from home BEFORE I found out that I was pregnant with baby #2.  I already had a full class enrolled, so here. we. go!

Anyway, if you made it this far you really deserve a ticket, or a token, or a sticker, or something. Good job! And don't let my candid apprehension fool you.  Let's get one thing straight: I love to teach. I was born to be a teacher. It's in my blood. Just like I know I was made to be a mom. I'm so happy and grateful to do the things that I love. What a gift.

Alright, alright already. Pictures, yes, the reason you visited my obscure, neglected, little blog in the first place. Can I get a drumroll please? And thanks for visiting! Come again.

Months ago, before I knew I was pregnant {again!} I deliberated long and hard about what to name my preschool. If you know me at all you know I've been kickin' around the Dr. Seuss theme for a few years now (Dr. Seuss Classroom x3 - yes it really is my THIRD Dr. Seuss classroom. 1st grade. 3rd grade. Now Preschool.) Finding a name was not an easy feat! But eventually I decided on 'Thinkin' Things.'

My handiwork sign I'm not such a fan of, but check out my little helper. Could she be ANY cuter? 

(Okay, fine, I admit I might be a little biased.)

So we had a little Open House and here's my front door...

(Wreath look familiar? I posted all about making it a few years ago here)

And here's your view as you descend the stairs...

 And here's a little-bit fish-eyed attempt at showing you what the whole place looks like...

...and the other half. 

Have you ever taken an iphone panorama? 

I hadn't, (guess I need a little practice - those stripes really DO line up on the wall) but what a cool little feature! 

Here's the hooks and alphabet (an awesome baby shower gift from a friend!) where the kiddos will hang their backpacks.

 And our crazy straw birthday balloons (download them for free here) and hanging planets. 

 The snack/art/craft/science table AND our pull-down maps. Probably my FAVORITE feature. I convinced my old principal to let me buy them from the school. :)

Our Thing 1 Buddy to "watch out" for everybody and make sure we are all playing safe and be a "model student" for us too - sitting on the special "Thing of the Day's" chair. 

(My "Thing of the Day" is basically like a "Student of the Day" or "Teacher's Helper". It does WONDERS to help with behavior and keep kids motivated) 

 Our writing/listening/reading/drawing table with student cubbies and the special Thing 2 chair cover for my "Thing of the Day" (see how I made it here). 

The AWESOME Dr. Seuss shelf facade my husband made way back when but that didn't get assembled and painted until just now! And a $5 thrift store chair I sanded, painted, and recovered.

 And the playroom! $10 door from the thrift store, easily cut in half by my handy, handsome hubby with a perfect puppet-show ledge stained and added to the top.  

Too bad the lighting makes it near impossible to get a good view inside the playroom. Just take my word. It's pretty awesome. Imagine one blue wall. One bright pink. The rest is a chalkboard. And filled with toys, games, puppets, dress-ups and more. Is it obvious I love it?

 And last, but not least, we have our math wall complete with calendar, shapes, months, days, and color-coded hundreds chart (Want a free copy? Check it out here)

And that's just about it.

 But wait! I want to see pictures of your classroom! Leave me a link so I can check it out!

Back to School FREEBIE!

My school started this past week and boy has it been CrAzY!  I created this rule booklet to help my students understand and internalize our rules.  They are: I am here to learn; I respect myself; I respect others; I respect property; and I am responsible.  

My students have loved completing it and I'm so close to 100 followers I decided I would give it away as a freebie!  If you download, please help me reach (or surpass!) my goal by following!  Click the image to download.  Please leave me a comment if you like it or have any questions!  

A big thanks to the Digital Bake Shop for the cute graphics and Kevin and Amanda for the fonts.  

FLASH Back to School Sale

I'm jumpin' on the bandwagon and hosting a back to school sale!  Click here to check out my store.  

Image thanks to Amy Lemons.

Here are a few things you'll find in my store... (Click the image to view in my TPT store).

Check back soon because I'm about to reveal photos of my whole Dr. Seuss themed classroom AND host a great 100 followers giveaway. You don't want to miss it!  :)

Back to School Picture Book Linky Parties

Chrissy @ First Grade Found Me  is hosting an awesome Back to School Picture Book Linky party, plus Lindsey, The Teacher Wife hosted an awesome MUST HAVE Picture Book Linky a few weeks ago.  I LOVE books.  I make weekly trips to the thrift store just to peruse through the books.  And Kid-to-Kid has a free book club.  You can get a free book EVERY month with any purchase.  Sometimes I buy a book just so I can get another one free.  Anyway, here are some of my favorite back to school books.

Strega Nona is a cute, clever, catchy story PERFECT for illustrating the importance of following rules and the justice of consequences. Students love it, plus it sparks great class discussions.

  

You are Special is so wonderful for creating a positive classroom community, recognizing each child's worth and unique strengths and talents, and discouraging labels and judgements.

 

Heckedy Peg is my childhood favorite.  I LOVE the story and LOVE the hand-painted pictures. Kids absolutely adore this story and beg me to read it again and again. This suspense-filled story also underscores the importance of listening to instructions and following rules. Check out this awesome picture below.

 

Last, but not least, Hooway for Wodney Wat.  So cute, so funny.  This is another great story for creating a positive classroom community environment.  The kids identify with Wodney Wat and quickly understand the importance of not bullying others.

 

Now I know these last two aren't exactly "picture books" but they do have pictures and they are GREAT beginner chapter books.  My students love reading them in small guided reading groups and LOVE it when I read them aloud.  You can check out either of these units that I created to go with them if you're interested. 

 If you haven't read any of these awesome books, you definitely need to give them a try. I promise your students will love them and I think you will too! :)